Comparative Bilirubin Levels in Vitreous Body, Synovial Fluid, Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum after Death

Abstract

Investigation of autopsy material from 44 jaundiced and 34 non-jaundiced control cases revealed ratios of total bilirubin averages in vitreous, spinal and synovial fluid to total serum bilirubin of 1:220, 1:35 and 1:4 respectively. Highest and average values of total bilirubin were 0.48 and 0.04 mg/100 ml in vitreous body and 10.5 and 2.02 mg/100 ml in synovial fluid respectively. Total synovial bilirubin in non-jaundice cases averaged 0.28 mg/100 ml. Bilirubin may thus be considered a normal constituent of synovial fluid.